Scientists from Oregon State University helped found NuScale Power LLC, which is also working on safer and more efficient nuclear energy production. NuScale's technology features what scientists call "passive safety" and uses small, modular reactors.

The new technology that will be tested at OSU uses a “super-hot” nuclear reactor cooled by helium gas instead of water. The reactor would operate at temperatures above 2,000 degrees – about three times as hot as existing reactors.